Mangrove planting: Small acts, big climate impact

Along the country's coastlines grows a plant that quietly helps address climate change.

- By MAT T. RICHTER

Experts continue to stress the importance of planting and conserving mangroves—a call that has only grown louder in recent years.

Mangroves protect shorelines, support biodiversity, and help communities withstand climate-related disasters. Yet they remain among the country’s most threatened ecosystems.

The Philippines is among the countries most affected by mangrove loss. Studies estimate that only about 62 percent of the country’s mangrove cover is left compared to levels recorded in the early 1900s.

A study published in the Journal of Sea Research noted that mangroves play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and industrial operations. As climate change intensifies, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has become critical.

The paper found that mangroves are major carbon sinks that store vast amounts of carbon in their biomass and soils. When these are destroyed, the carbon storage is disrupted causing large volumes released back into the atmosphere. This accelerates climate change. The study emphasized that protecting and restoring mangrove habitats can play a significant role in mitigating its impacts.

The study added that carbon sequestration—the long-term capture and storage of carbon—is “the most crucial ecosystem function” provided by tropical coastal ecosystems, with mangroves particularly well suited for this role.

Another study found in the same journal underscored the importance of local community participation, including that of Indigenous Peoples, in mangrove conservation efforts. Working alongside ecologists and scientists, communities play an important role in ensuring long-term protection.